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It’s going to be a great weekend to stay inside in Saskatchewan.
According to Environment Canada, some very chilly temperatures are expected on Friday and Saturday as a high-pressure system drives cold air into the province.
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Danielle Desjardins, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said a low-pressure system brought about five centimetres of snow to Saskatoon and central Saskatchewan on Thursday, but the snowfall is expected to taper off as the day progresses.
“A ridge of high pressure is going to be bringing in some much cooler air to the province, and specifically to Saskatoon, so we’re expecting those temperatures to drop significantly later this afternoon and overnight tonight, and then we’re heading into the bitter cold for the next several days,” Desjardins said.
The meteorologist said northwesterly winds gusting to about 50 km/h are causing issues with visibility for drivers, though the wind is also expected to die down this evening.
Environment Canada issued a blowing snow advisory for Maple Creek and the southwestern corner of the province on Thursday, advising drivers to consider postponing travel until conditions improve. The Saskatchewan Highway Hotline was also recommending against travel on several routes in the southwest.
After the winds subside, Desjardins said it will be time to bundle up and make some hot chocolate.
“Friday and Saturday, especially overnight, look incredibly cold,” Desjardins said.
“I would not be surprised if we see some cold warning notifications issued for the weekend for portions of Saskatchewan, but the reprieve will come on Sunday as that warmer air enters the province.”
Environment Canada’s forecast showed overnight lows of -28 C and -31 C in Saskatoon on Friday and Saturday, while Regina can expect overnight lows of -29 C on Friday and -24 C on Saturday.
While Sunday will bring a reprieve from the frigid temperatures, Desjardins noted that the wind is expected to pick up again on Sunday.
“Winds are going to pick up from the south, so even though we’re going to see those milder temperatures, it’s going to be a little bit gusty with the wind, so it’s not going to feel quite as warm as the -5 C, -7 C that we’re going to be seeing later in the weekend,” she explained.
The latest updates on weather alerts can be found on Environment Canada’s website, and the latest road conditions can be viewed on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline’s interactive map.
–with files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff
